Doves and pigeons belong to the same family of birds, Columbidae, but they are often considered to be completely separate types of birds. To the average person, the main differences between doves and pigeons come down to coloration, size, shape, and behavior. But scientifically speaking, doves and pigeons actually have much more in common than not. Here’s a deep dive into the similarities and differences between these two seemingly distinct yet closely related types of birds.
Taxonomy and Genetics
Doves and pigeons are both members of the bird family Columbidae. This family consists of about 310 species of doves and pigeons. The taxonomy of Columbidae is as follows:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Columbiformes
- Family: Columbidae
Within the Columbidae family, doves and pigeons belong to different genera. The genus for doves is Columba while the genus for pigeons is Columba livia. However, they are still close enough genetically to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. For example, a common wood pigeon can breed with a collared dove to produce hybrids.
| Species | Genus |
|---|---|
| Rock dove | Columba livia |
| Collared dove | Streptopelia decaocto |
| Mourning dove | Zenaida macroura |
As you can see from the table above, while pigeons belong to Columba livia, doves span multiple genuses including Streptopelia and Zenaida. However, genetic evidence suggests doves emerged from within the Columba livia genus, meaning they share a common ancestor with pigeons.
Coloration
One of the most noticeable differences between doves and pigeons is their coloration. Doves are almost always white, gray, or cream colored with dark accents on the wings or head. Pigeons exhibit much more variation in color, spanning grey, brown, black, white, and iridescent.
| Dove Species | Coloration |
|---|---|
| Mourning dove | Light gray-brown |
| Collared dove | Pale gray-beige with black half collar |
| Common ground dove | Grayish brown |
| Pigeon Species | Coloration |
|---|---|
| Rock dove | Shades of gray, black, and white |
| Band-tailed pigeon | Purple-gray with white crescent on neck |
| Nicobar pigeon | Iridescent green, bronze, and purple |
The white coloration of many doves provided camouflage in their original arid habitats in Africa. Meanwhile, pigeons exhibit more variation that helped them blend into both rocky cliffs and forests in Europe and Asia. However, color alone does not diagnose a bird as a dove or pigeon.
Size and Shape
Doves tend to be smaller and slimmer than pigeons. The largest doves reach about 13 inches in length, while large pigeons can reach up to 18 inches. Additionally, pigeons are stockier with shorter tails and thicker necks compared to sleek, long-tailed doves.
| Dove/Pigeon | Length (in) | Wingspan (in) | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning dove | 12 | 17 | 4.3 |
| Rock pigeon | 12-14 | 26 | 9.3-13.4 |
| Band-tailed pigeon | 14-18 | 26-29 | 14.1 |
The larger and stockier build of pigeons allows them to feed more aggressively and to produce larger amounts of nutrient-rich crop milk to feed their young. Doves did not need adaptations like these as much in their original arid habitats.
Behavior
Doves and pigeons exhibit somewhat distinct behaviors though significant overlap exists. Doves are generally quieter, less social, and less aggressive compared to pigeons. Here are some behavioral comparisons:
- Vocalizations – Doves coo softly. Pigeons coo more loudly and aggressively.
- Flocking – Doves do not flock together outside of breeding season. Pigeons often form large flocks for feeding and roosting.
- Nesting – Doves nest individually. Pigeons often nest in colonies.
- Feeding – Doves forage on the ground solo. Pigeons feed in groups and scavenge aggressively.
- Mating – Doves form monogamous pair bonds. Pigeons do not pair bond and males compete for mates.
The shyer, less social nature of doves helped them avoid competition in drier habitats while pigeons adapted to thrive in the crowded conditions of rocky cliffs and cities.
Geographic Origin
Doves and pigeons originated in different geographical regions which influenced their evolution:
- Doves evolved in the arid environments of Africa.
- Pigeons evolved in coastal and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.
| Species | Original Range |
|---|---|
| Mourning dove | Africa |
| Eurasian collared dove | Asia |
| Rock dove | Europe and Asia |
The hot and arid environments where doves first evolved selected for adaptations like light coloration for camouflage and a slim body type for efficient cooling. Meanwhile, pigeons evolved among rocky cliffs and forests where more aggressive feeding, flocking behavior, and larger size gave them advantages.
Symbolism and Cultural Associations
Doves and pigeons have cultivated different symbolic meanings in culture despite their biological similarities:
- Doves symbolize peace, love, fidelity, and the soul. They are associated with Venus and Aphrodite.
- Pigeons have been symbols of religion and sacrifice but also considered pests that spread disease in cities.
The differences come down to doves being smaller, prettier, and gentler than their pigeon cousins. However, dove releases at weddings and other celebrations often use trained white homing pigeons rather than true doves.
Conclusion
While doves and pigeons have distinct reputations, they are much more alike than different. They belong to the same family, can interbreed, share many physical and behavioral traits, and likely emerged from a common ancestor. The dove’s gentle and peaceful reputation stems mainly from symbolic meanings rather than any huge biological differences from pigeons. So while a dove gliding by may look very different from a pigeon pecking at crumbs, they are cousins on the family tree of life.
